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Member Reviews

4.25 stars out of 5

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this

This was just what I was looking for. A cute, fun paranormal mystery filled with all kinds of interesting and magical creatures. I really enjoyed this narrator, she did a fantastic job being the voice of Olivia Kendrick. I love the town of Nightmare and would love to live there.

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this series is so fun! the mysteries are well crafted and the paranormal, small town setting adds so much. i love the found family aspect as well :)

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Thank you #netgalley and #tantoraudio for audio version of Fatality at the Festival in return for a review.

This is the 8th book in the series and can be read as a standalone. This is my first book by Beth Dolgner. I was able to catch up with past storylines and keep up with the well established characters and their relationships. Well written, well read by the narrator, and a fun story to listen to. Nightmare Sanctuary Haunted House is just that, a sanctuary for those of the paranormal. Very stereotypical as they work at a haunted house, but Gargoyles can't exactly walk around in broad daylight working at a fast food restaurant. The story begins with our main character, Olivia, attending the summer festival where a craft show is taken to a new level with all the magical crafts represented. All is well until one of the vendors is murdered. Of course, Olivia with her band of magical investigators, begins to look into the murder and try to solve it before the festival ends and all the suspects move on. Who did it? Why did they do it? Did the murderer kill the right person?

Lots of summer feels for the festival and the description of it by those attending. I haven't read a paranormal mystery in quite awhile but wasn't overwhelmed by the medley of characters. Narrator did a wonderful job distinguishing between them. Characters are interesting as their paranormal selves. But I think I would like the story even if it wasn't filled with the supernatural. It would still be a solid murder mystery. The supernatural aspect gives it that extra glimmer of sparkle. I will admit, I wasn't engaged in the storyline until 25% into it. When Olivia returns to the scene of the crime and discovers a group of people walking the streets with candles and chanting. For some reason, that's the part that finally hooked me. A solid 3.75 stars. I would read more by Bed Dolgner.

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Fatality at the Festival was an easy listen with a charming setting and a cozy mystery vibe. The characters were likable, and the narrator did a nice job bringing them to life. However, the mystery itself felt a bit predictable, and the pacing was slow in parts. It’s a fun audiobook if you’re in the mood for something light, but not very intense.

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It was a good title to do on audiobook. I do wonder if reading it and previous installments would’ve made it better? I’ve only read this one and I could still follow along but it almost felt that for being the 8th in the series there was still sooo much explaining?
Not wrong, just kinda surprised because it makes me wonder if it’s best to go back.
A good listen, but I’d recommend maybe reading other books beforehand

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Too hard for me to follow when just starting with this book. Would recommend reading the series. Interesting theme to the book. Like the supernatural touch. Doesn't jump right in to that fact. Have to listen for a Lil bit first.

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I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this story! Since it's the 8th book of a series that I've never read before, I was apprehensive at first, but I found it easy to slip into the world of Nightmare and its inhabitants. The supernatural aspect of a murder mystery is unique and not something I've ever read before, but I found it interesting and entertaining to read!

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This series is so fun
love a desert community with some cryptids
It's a great morning dog walk audio
Quick and fun

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This audiobook feels like Rose from the Golden girls telling you a story of her hometown. But instead of Saint Olaf, you get nightmare, Arizona. Period.
This is a pretty fast pace book. It’s a super quick read. Our main character, Olivia solves murders this book is like a supernatural hallmark mystery movie.
This is the eighth book in the series, but can be read out of order and still makes sense. There will be some things that you don’t understand that happened to in previous parts but they do kinda go over what happened. I enjoyed reading this one.

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Fatality at the Festival by Beth Dolgner is a very short read that was primarily info dumping and over-explaining. I understand that as an 8th installment in a series that there is backstory to be understood. But that information should be delivered more naturally rather than bringing an already tedious narrative to a standstill every few seconds to recap. The way that the motivations and feelings were overly detailed also made the story drag. A character would say or do something, which was followed by detailed explanations of why and how they were feeling. Then the next character would say or do something, again followed by detailed descriptions of their motivation. For an adult work, there was far too much handholding for the reader.

Thank you to NetGalley for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the arc of this book. This was a cute little YA murder mystery book! I was unaware it was in the middle of a series so it would have been nice to have read all of those before this one but I still enjoyed it! I wasn’t the biggest fan of the audio narrator but I have heard worse. I would still recommend reading this book! I would give it 3 and a half stars.

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Entertaining paranormal cozy mystery. I like the idea of the paranormal characters hiding in plain sight. The story was quick and fun with slight twist. A solid read

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Having not read any of the other titles in this series and given that this instalment is relatively short, I actually really enjoyed it. I do enjoy a cozy mystery, add a little paranormal to the coziness and you’re onto a winner. I definitely did sense I was missing out on some back story, which can be inevitable diving into a series, yet I didn’t feel that it set me at a complete disadvantage. I’d be quite interested in reading more in the series.

Cute, short and cozy, gave me winter by the fire vibes, which actually isn’t far off on a Scottish Easter Monday.

I loved the audio narration, the voice added to the cozy feel.

Huge thanks to Tantor Audio via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧

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In Nightmare, Arizona, Olivia is a conjurer with a group of paranormal friends. Book 8 of a 10-book series, I enjoyed this one so much! The quirky characters and murder mystery reminded me a lot of a Sookie Stackhouse novel. If you enjoy a cozy mystery, this series is perfect for you. The audiobook version of this one is available tomorrow. The narrator was great!

Bonus: Right now, the series (all but the 10th book, which isn’t out yet) is on Kindle Unlimited!

Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the audiobook version of this novel. All opinions are my own.

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High quality audio. Thus is a quick listen a nice cozy mystery with a range of supernatural characters but a bit of a easy a to b kind of plot was entertaining .I wanted to know more about the characters and there seemed very basic on their interactions. Perfect as part of a series which could grow if the characters are developed. This is a nice no nonsense lusten. Thanks netgallery. Publisher author and narrator. I Hooe to find these characters again.

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I was a little nervous jumping into a series at the 8th book, but the author did such a great job of introducing the characters and general ongoing plot that I felt right at home with this close-to-cozy mystery.
I consumed this audiobook in one day. It was a nice, fast paced book that kept me engaged and constantly guessing.
The characters were easy to love and felt dynamic, even in the short time I spent with them.
The narrator was also very pleasant to listen to and the audio production was top notch.
Thank you, netgalley, for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

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I’ve been curious about the Nightmare, Arizona series by Beth Dolgner, but hadn’t read anything yet. An audiobook was a fun way to get acquainted. I enjoyed the narrator. The festival sounds fun. I didn’t realize the extent of the paranormal aspect, and I liked it.
Olivia sounds like she has been busy in the time she has been in Nightmare, especially since this is book 8. The festival sounds like a good time, but stay away from the corn dogs.
I enjoyed getting to know the variety of characters in the Sanctuary.
I didn’t pick up on everything since I started mid-series, but I enjoyed reading Fatality at the Festival. I recommend reading especially if you enjoy paranormal stories.
Thanks to Netgalley and Tantor Media for the opportunity to read the book.

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This was such a fun listen. Most of the action happens down at the festival and it was nice to see the vendors and new characters. So much drama, death and mystery happens in this town!
Petrea Burchard does a good job bringing the story to life. While some character voices worked better for me than others, overall she captured the tone and personalities well.

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Fatality at the Festival is the 8th book in the Nightmare Arizona series. I have been devouring all these books for the past week and can't wait to read more! I do suggest that you read them in order so as not to get confused or get some of the previous books spoiled. I loved following Olivia and the Nightmare Sanctuary Haunted House gang as they tried to solve the murder of a food truck vendor at the local arts and crafts festival. I highly recommend all of these books; they're the perfect palate cleanser between heavy reads! I've been exclusively listening to them on audio, and the narrator does an amazing job!

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for the audiobook!

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3.5 rounded up

This was a relatively short easy listen and one of those murder mystery type of who done it but cozy audiobook not your psychological thriller type which was a pleasant change for me. I enjoyed the characters in this and found the storyline easy to follow even if it was a little obvious scenarios this is the style of book and it is exactly what I needed at the time so for me it is precisely as the book description says! The way in which all the different characters are brought together is just fun the dynamic of this audiobook is just lighthearted and easy!

This is well narrated with all characters easy to follow found pitch and tone were great.

With thanks to NetGalley & Tantor Audio for the opportunity to listen to this ELC in return for this review. Best wishes with publication on 22nd April 2025 📚🙏🏼❤️

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